Download astronomical symbols on coins of the roman empire

ASTRONOMICAL SYMBOLS ON COINS OF THE ROMAN
EMPIRE - PART I: 27 BC TO 96 AD
ELENI ROVITHIS-LIVANIOU1 , FLORA ROVITHIS2
1
Dept of Astrophysics, Astronomy & Mechanics, Faculty of Physics,
Athens University, Panepistimiopolis, Zographos 15784, Athens, Greece
Email: [email protected]
2
Email: [email protected]
Abstract. We continue to present and describe some ancient Roman coins with astronomical symbols like the Moon, the Zodiac signs, the stars, etc. The coins presented
in this Paper correspond to the Roman Empire covering the period 27 BC to 96 AD.
This means that starting with coins of Augustus (the first Roman Emperor), 2 dynasties: the Julio-Claudian (14-68) and the Flavian (69-96) were examined. Besides, some
other coins issued during 69 AD, known as the year of the 4 emperors are shown, too.
Any further available information for these coins is given, and a general discussion is
made.
Key words: coins – Roman Empire – Roman Emperors – astronomical symbols.
1. PROLOGUE
In a previous paper (Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis 2014 hereafter refer as
Paper I) a systematic presentation of ancient Roman coins with stellar symbols was
made. In Paper I, we limited to the coins of the Roman Republic i.e. till 27 BC. In
this paper, we continue presenting ancient Roman coins with the same subject, but
we now cover the early period of the Roman Empire, and especially the interval from
27 BC till 96 AD.
During the period we examine denary, i.e. the basic silver Roman coin, which
had firstly appeared in 269 BC, was a very strong coin, recognizable and acceptable
not only in the restricted bounds of Rome. It was divided in 2 hemi-denary, or in 4
sistertia, while one sisterius or sestertius was equal to 2 dupondius. In the beginning
the denary contained 4.5g silver. Augustus reduced it to 3.9g, and remained so
until Nero’s era when it was reduced again and became 3.4g; while, in the late
third century it contained only 3.0g of silver. Other mayor changes in denary’s
silver content were made by emperors Caracalla (198-217), Elagabalus (218-222)
and Diocletian (285-305) AD. These, will be discussed in another paper, as they are
not referred to the period examined here.
On the other hand, gold Roman coins issued around 217 BC, while since Julius
Caesar era the basis of the Roman numismatic system was the gold coin with values
Romanian Astron. J. , Vol. 25, No. 2, p. 129–147, Bucharest, 2015
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equal to 25 denary, as already referred in Paper I.
Almost all coins of the Roman Empire have on their observe sides the head
or/and bust of the Roman emperor; while, various other themes are shown on their
reverses. In some cases, the head of emperor’s wife is also presented either with
emperor or alone.
Various legends or abbreviations are used on both observe, or reverse side of
a coin. The meaning of most abbreviations is easily explainable, like huge S and C
or EX S.C., meaning Ex Senate Consult. Besides, some coins do not bear the signature of a triumvir monetialis (monetarist), but the inscription CVR.X.FL., meaning
Curator Denary Flade, while others have a P, a Q or the letters CVR AED, which
means that they were signed by Praetors, Questars or Aediles. The meaning of other
abbreviations can be found in the literature.
We start our presentation of coins with astronomical symbols from the Roman
Empire with the coins of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus[1] .
2. COINS OF THE FIRST ROMAN EMPEROR AUGUSTUS (27BC-14AD)
The coins with an astronomical symbol issued by the first Roman emperor,
Augustus, were issued in the memory of his uncle and father Julius Caesar and are
presented in Fig. 1. The latter was deified after his assassination, and there was a
Temple dedicated to him, i.e. to divus[2] Julius, as was said.
a
b
c
d
Fig. 1 – Coins of Augustus, Observe a: Head of Julius Caesar, star below his chin, legend DIVI F,
Reverse: Legend DIVUS IVLIVS, i.e. Julius, within wreath; Observe b: Head of Augustus, legend
DIVI. F AVGVSTVS, Reverse: Head of Julius Caesar, star above his head, legend; Observe c: Bust of
Augustus, legend CAE[SAR] AVGVSTVS=AUGUSTUS, Reverse: Comet with 8 rays and tail, legend
DIVVS IVLIVS=DIVUS IULIUS; Observe d: Head of Julius Caesar, legend, Reverse: Temple of
Divus Julius with a star in its pediment.
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And although we do not know the exact meaning of the star in front of the neck
of Julius Caesar, or above his head, this is not the case for coin (c) of Fig. 1. Because,
is known that soon after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, a comet was
appeared, (Plutarch, Alexander-Julius Caesar, 69). And, as is said, almost 25 years
later Augustus issued a coin where this event was shown.
Augustus had issued some other coins with a star above his head, as a and
b of Fig. 2. Besides, in coin (d) of the same figure, both he and his wife Livia[3]
are shown as god Hλιoς, Helios[4] , (i.e. Sun, Sol in Latin) and goddess Σλήνη,
Selene[5] , (i.e. Moon, Luna in Latin) with a star and a crescent Moon above their
heads, respectively, (see also Fig. 13 right).
a
b
c
d
Fig. 2 – a: Aureus of 14 AD, Lungunum mint, Observe: Head of Augustus with star above his head,
legend DIVI F DIV OCTAVIANUS, Reverse: Head of Tiberius, legend; Observe b: Head of
Augustus, star above, legend DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER, Reverse: Woman (Pax?, Livia?) seated
holding sceptre, huge S & C in left & right field, respectively; c: Denary of Augustus minted in Rome
by Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, in 12 BC, Observe: Augustus head, legend AVGVSTVS, Reverse:
Augustus is placing a star on the head of high priest of Mars (Flamen Martialis); d: Coin from Spain,
(14-37) AD, stuck under Tiberius, Observe: Bust of Augustus with sun/star above his head, legend,
Reverse: Bust of Livia with crescent Moon above her head, legend LIVIA AUGUSTA.
In Fig. 3 some other coins of Augustus are shown where on their reverses the
Zodiac sign of Capricorn is presented. These, look somehow to the coin from Cyprus
with the Capricorn and Scorpio, (Fig. 17, in Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis 2012).
Similar coins issued other Emperors, too, some of which are shown below, (See Figs.
8 and 15left).
A Capricorn is also shown on the coins of Fig. 4.
We continue with some other coins of Augustus (Fig. 5a and b) and of his
grandson Gaius Caesar, (Fig. 5c), respectively.
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a
b
c
d
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Fig. 3 – Coins of Augustus era with Capricorn; Observe a, b and c: Head of Augustus, Reverse a&b:
Capricorn, gobble between its legs and cornucopia above, legend a: [A]VGVSTVS, legend b: in
Greek meaning GOD EMPEROR, Reverse c: Capricorn with 8-pointed star above, legend
AVGVSTVS below; d: Coin from Augusta[6] , Cilicia[7] , Observe: Livia’s bust, Reverse: Capricorn
carrying globe, star above, legend with the city’s name in Greek.
Fig. 4 – Coins from the Thracian kingdom, Observe Left: Bust of king Phoemetalkes, legend with
king’s name in Greek, Reverse: Head of Augustus, Capricorn on globe in front, legend; Middle
Observe: Busts of king Phoemetalkes & queen’s Pythodoris of Thrace; Kotys IV is also seen, (the
smaller figure), legend gives the king’s name in Greek, Reverse: Busts of Augustus & Livia, Capricorn
in front, legend in Greek meaning CAESAR RESPECTABLE; Right: Similar to middle, but without
Kotys IV on observe.
Fig. 5 – Observe a: Crown head of Augustus, star above, Reverse: II within dotted border & wreath;
b: ∆ίχαλκo[8] , dichalko of (10-5) BC, Alexandria, Egypt; Observe b: Head of Augustus, Reverse:
Crescent Moon & star, Greek legend; c: Coin of (10-5) BC, Observe: Bust of Augustus, legend,
Reverse: Bust of Gaius, star below, legend with his name in Greek.
We finish with 2 more coins of Gaius, (Fig. 6).
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Fig. 6 – Left: Coin of Gaius Caesar, Observe: Head of Gaius Caesar, legend CAESAR;
Reverse: Column with vase, various symbols, mainly of Sun and Moon, legend AVG VSTI;
Right: Confronted bare heads of Gaius & Lucius with stars above and globe below all within circle;
Reverse: II within dotted border & wreath.
3. THE JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY, (14-68) AD
The first Roman Emperors dynasty is known as Julio-Claudian and covers the
interval from 14 till 68 AD. It starts with Emperor Tiberius[9] , (14-37), goes on with
Caligula[10] (37-41), Claudius[11] (41-54) and ends with Nero[12] (54-68). During this
period, some coins with astronomical symbols were issued. On the observe sides of
all of them the head of the corresponding emperor is presented. So, we will not repeat
it in legends, except if it is necessary. On the other hand, the themes on reverses vary
depending on the place. And, when these places were semi-autonomous, then some
themes from the old coins of the areas were used as we shall see.
We start our presentation with some coins of Tiberius from various parts of the
Roman Empire, (Figs. 7 and 8).
Fig. 7 – Coins of Tiberius with his head on observe, Left: Drachma of Tiberius from Caesarea[13] ,
Kappadokia, Asia Minor, Reverse: Radiative god-Helios with sceptre and globe on top of mount
Argaeus[16] , Greek legend ΘEOY ΣEBAΣTOY YIOΣ, meaning SON of the RESPECTABLE GOD;
Middle: from hemi-autonomous Mallus[14] , (37-41) AD, Reverse: Winged Nike & star in front; Right:
from Tomis[15] , Thrace, Reverse: Eagle between Dioscouroi’s[17] caps with stars above.
Many other coins, similar to Fig. 7Left with mount Argaeus and either the godHelios, or a star on top issued by other emperors, too, like Nero for example. As it is
impossible to present all of them here, we are only referred to them.
We continue with some coins of Caligula and Claudius, (Figs. 9 and 10, respectively).
The coins shown in Fig. 11 are of Claudius and are again from various parts of
the Roman Empire.
We go on with some more coins of Nero, (Figs. 12 and 13).
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Fig. 8 – Coins of Tiberius with Capricorn. Left: Sesterius of 34/35 AD, Observe: large legend OB
CIVES SER in the middle of double oak wreath, 2 Capricorns confronting each other, legend DIVO
AVGVSTOS P.Q.R, Reverse: Large S,C in the middle, legend CAESAR DIVI AVGF. AVGVST.P.MT
POT XXXVITI inside circle of dots; Right: Coin from Panormon[18] , Sicily, Observe: Radiated head
of Tiberius, legend, Reverse: Capricorn up & trisceles[19] below, legend CN DO PROC A LAETOR
IIVIR.
Fig. 9 – Coins of Caligula; Observe Left: Head of Caligula, Reverse: Head of Augustus between 2
stars; Right: Coin from Philadelphia[20] , Lydia, Observe: Head of Caligula, star behind, legend,
Reverse: Bust of Dioscuroi, legend.
Fig. 10 – Coins of Claudius; Left: From Pergamon[21] , (40-60) AD, Observe: Laureate bust of
Senate[22] , star in front & legend in Greek, Reverse: Bust of Roma[23] & legend in Greek; c: Coin
from Leukas[24] , Syria (hemi-autonomous), Observed: Head of Claudius with crescent Moon above,
legend with his name in Greek, Reverse: Head of god-Helios, Greek legend meaning the citizens of
Leukas.
Fig. 11 – Left: Diobol of 41/42 AD from Alexandria, Egypt, Observe: Bust of Claudius with star in
front of his neck, Greek legend TI ΛY CEBAC ΓEPMAN, Reverse: Bull, legend in Greek meaning
EMPEROR & LB below; Right: Similar to left, but of 42/43 AD, and with hippopotamus instead of
bull on reverse.
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Astronomical Symbols on Coins of the Roman Empire - PART I: 27 BC to 96 AD
a
b
c
d
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Fig. 12 – Coins during Nero’s era with his head on observe; a: From Thessalonica, Macedonia,
Reverse a: horse or monoceros & star at right above; b & c: Tetra-drachmae of 67/68 from Alexandria,
Egypt; Reverse b: Head of goddess Hera, & star, legend with her name in Greek, HPA, and an
adjective designation of the town of her worship, APΓEIA[25] ; Reverse c: God Apollo and legend
Aκτ ιoς Aπóλλων, Aktios Apollo[26] & star; d: Coin of (55-60) AD from Knossos, Crete;
Reverse d: Dioscuroi standing and holding sceptres, stars above their heads.
Fig. 13 – Left: Coin of (54-68) AD from Nysa, Lydia, Observe: Nero’s head in circle of dots, legend
in Greek with his name and title, Reverse: bust of man (god?) with Phrygian cap, crescent behind,
legend NYCA-EΩN in Greek, i.e. giving the citizens name; Right, Observe: Head of Nero, legend
NIRO CLAV CAES AVG IMP LVPINO VOLVMNIO II, Reverse: Heads of Nero & his first wife
Octavia legend NIRO CLAVD CAES AVG IMP ET OCTAVIA AVGVSTI, crescent Moon & Sun/star
above their heads.
We notice that on the right coin of Fig 13, Nero and Octavia appeared as godHelios and goddess Selene, respectively, as Augustus and Livia on one of the foregoing shown coins, (Fig. 2d).
4. THE YEAR OF THE 4 EMPERORS, 69 AD
During 69 AD, 4 emperors reined the Roman Empire: Galba[27] (68-69) AD,
(for only 4 months), Vitellius[29] , (for 8 months) and finally Vespasian[30]
(69-79). Here, we’ll present coins of the 3 first of the mentioned emperors, since
Otho[28] ,
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the last one reined for 10 years and founded the Flavian dynasty, which is examined
separately.
We start with 3 coins issued during Galba’s epoch and 1 during Otho’s.
a
b
c
d
Fig. 14 – a & b: Tetra-drachmae of Galba, from Alexandria, Egypt, 68/69 AD; c&d: Tetra-drachmae
of Galba & Otho, respectively, from Antioch ad Orontem[31] , Syria; Observe a, b & c: Head of Galba,
legend in Greek with his name and some abbreviations meaning CAESAR RESPECTABLE, star in
front of his neck on the right coin; Reverse a: Liberty -as the legend in Greek indicates- standing and
holding wreath & sceptre, star at left below; Reverse b: Rome & Greek legend PΩ-MH, i.e. ROMA,
star in front; Reverse c: Eagle, legend in Greek meaning the YEAR & giving it as 55; Observe d:
Head of Otho, legend in Greek, meaning EMPEROR CAESAR RESPECTABLE, Reverse d: Eagle,
wreath in its mouth and crescent Moon between its legs.
In general Otho and Vittelius, who were Emperors for a couple of months only,
did not issue many coins with stellar symbols. Except the coin in Fig. 14d, we do
not know any other of Otho’s with astronomical symbols. As regard Vittelius, what
is known up to now is that there are some coins from the Macedonian confederacy,
(KOINON in Greek), where on their reverses the Macedonian shield was shown, (see
Discussion).
5. THE FLAVIAN DYNASTY, (69-96) AD
The Flavian dynasty was founded by Vespasian, as was already referred, and
continued by his sons: Titus[32] (79-81) and Domitian[33] (81-96) AD.
Emperors Vespasian and Titus issued some coins similar to these presented in
Fig. 3, (See Fig.15Left and Middle, respectively). Furthermore, Vespasian issued
a coin with a prow of galley, (Fig. 15Right), similar to those presented in Paper I,
(Figs. 16, 21 and 23).
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Fig. 15 – Left & Right: Denary of Vespasian; Observe left & right: Head of Vespasian, legend IMP
CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Middle: Denary of Titus; Observe: Head of Titus; Reverse left &
middle: Capricorn on globe, legend; Reverse right: Prow, of galley, star above, COS VIII.
Other coins of Vespasian and Titus are shown in Fig. 16.
Fig. 16 – Coins of Vespasian and Titus, Left: Denary of 74 AD, Observe: Head of Vespasian, legend
IMP T CAESAR COS III, Reverse: Victory walking right holding wreath & palm, star & dot at lower
right; Middle: Aureus of 76 AD, Observe: Head of Vespasian, legend CAESAR IMP
VESPASIANUS, Reverse: Aeternitas[34] standing left, holding head of Sun & Moon, lighter altar at
her feet, legend AETER-NITAS; Right: Denary of 79 AD, Observe: Head of Titus, Reverse:
God-Helios standing on column holding spear.
We continue with the presentation of some coins of Emperor Domitian.
Fig. 17 – Coins of Domitian, Left: Denary of 82-83 AD, Domitian and his son, Observe: Bust of
Domitian, legend IMP CAES DOMINIANVS AVG PM, Reverse: His son on globe, 7 stars around,
legend DIVUS CAESAR IMP DOMINIANI F; Middle: similar to Left, but with head of Domitia[35]
instead of Domitian, legend DOMITIA AVGVSTA IMP DOMIT[IAN]; Right: From Leukas, Syria,
84/85 AD, Observe: Domitian as god-Helios, Reverse: Artemis standing, holding sceptre.
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Fig. 18 – Coins of Domitian with his head and legend with his name and title in Greek, Left: From
Flaviopolis [36] , Cilicia, 89/90 AD, Reverse: Heads of Dioscouroi with stars above and legend
denoting its origin in Greek, and the year ZI; Middle: from Irenopolis[37] , 93/94 AD, Reverse:
Hygeia[38] , holding branch and phiale[39] from which serpents feeds, star in the left field, legend
denoting its origin and giving the year; Right: From Caesarea, Cappadokia, 93/94 AD, Observe: Same
as left & middle but with a star behind his head, Reverse: Head of Domitian and legend in Greek
denoting the coin’s origin.
6. DISCUSSION
Continuing our presentation of ancient Roman coins with astronomical symbols, in this paper (Rovithis-Livaniou & Rovithis 2015a) we show those covering the
interval from 27 BC till 96 AD. In other words 2 dynasties of the Roman Empire:
the Julio-Claudian, 27 BC 68 AD and the Flavian, (69-96) AD. Furthermore, similar
coins issued during 69 AD, known as the year of the 4 emperors were shown, too.
In most coins of the Roman Empire the head of Emperor is always presented on
their observed side, as was shown; while, on these of the Roman Republic the heads
of gods (Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis 2014b). And as was shown in this latter
paper, some exceptions could not be avoided. So, the heads of Julius Caesar and
Marcus Antonius were appeared in some coins during the last years of the Roman
Republic.
Except the pure Roman coins, like denary etc., other coins were also used during the period we examined, like the Greek talants, drachmae etc. It is referred for
example that when the young Julius Caesar was arrested by Syllas’s soldiers, he gave
2 talants to their chief to free him. It is also said that once, when Julius Caesar leaved
Italy, arrested by some pirates, who released him 40 days later, after his friends offered them 50 talants.
In Paper I, we noticed the remarkable similarities of some coins of the Roman
Republic with some Greek ones, as are those with Roma. In this paper, we saw many
other similarities not only with the Greek coins, but also with coins from many other
places. Because, the Romans allowed to the various occupied cities/countries, even
even when they had been Roman Provinces, to keep themes of their old coins. This
means that these coins presented on their observe sides the Emperor’s head, but their
reverse sides were kept the same as in their older coinage.
There are many such examples, as are some coins from areas of the kingdom
of Pontus, where the star inside a crescent Moon was not only kept, but it was also
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spread to other areas, too. And since these areas, (Syria, Egypt, Mauritania etc.)
never belonged to the kingdom of Pontus, it is supposed that this symbol was either
borrowed, or these coins represent an astronomical event, as is the occultation of a
planet, or a star, by the Moon, which is not a rare phenomenon. Other examples are
the coins with Zeus, god-Helios or other gods on their reverses.
Another example is the coins with the famous Macedonian shield on their reverses from the confederacy of Macedonia, when Macedonia was hemi-autonomous.
These shields were usually decorated with stars. And not only many emperors like
Claudius, Nero, Vitellius, Vespasian, Domitian and others issued such coins, but we
find similar ones much earlier during Roman Republic. In this later case, except coins
c&d of Fig. 28 in Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis (2012), there are others where on
observe the head of a god/goddess or of a hero is shown in the middle of the Macedonian shield, (Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis 2015c). During the Roman Empire,
gods’ heads were replaced by the heads of the corresponding Roman emperor, while
the Macedonian shields were now moved on their reverses; but, since the beautiful
decoration with stars is now not well shown -if shown at all- we did not represent
these coins here.
On the other hand, there are some cases in which old themes were kept even on
observe sides of the coins instead of Emperor’s head. For this reason, we did not represent these coins here, too. We refer that these are some coins from Sidon, Phoenicia
with the head of goddess Tyche with a star inside crescent Moon on observe and a
galley on reverse, issued during Vespasian, (69-79) AD.
As was already referred in Paper I, it is generally accepted that the astronomical symbols presented on the ancient Roman coins are very possibly related to an
astronomical event, (Zimmermann, 1995). For example, soon after the assassination
of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, a comet was appeared, (Plutarch, Alexander-Julius Caesar). In this work, Plutarch 69, refers that between the divine things happened after
Julius Caesar’s assassination was: 1) the appearance of a comet only a week after his
death and 2) that during the following whole year the Sun was very weak and did not
shine as usual. This had as result the fruits faded before ripening, due to the coolness
of the atmosphere.
As was shown, the comet’s appearance soon after the assassination of Julius
Caesar was presented in some coins issued by the first Emperor of the Roman Empire,
Augustus (right coin of Fig. 1 in this paper). Similar coins were found in various
parts of the Roman Empire, (from Spain to Asia Minor). Later, the adopted son and
Augustus’ successor, Tiberius, issued some quite similar coins, with a star on their
reverse sides instead of a comet.
The use of a star on the Roman coins has been examined (e.g., Mclvor, 2006).
And as we already referred in Paper I, we think that in general a star was used to
denote the superior, the high or even deity. A good example is the case of the first
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Roman emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus. He is mainly known as
Augustus, i.e. with the title originally given to sacred and holy things or places.
And then it was given to some other Roman emperors, who were afterwards adored
like gods and called divine, (divus in Latin), as Augustus. And as we show, this title
appeared in most legends of his coins, or on coins stuck later by some other Emperors
for him, while a star there is above his head.
So, we showed some coins in which a star is above the head of the emperor
and a crescent Moon above the head of his wife, (Fig. 2d, where Augustus and Livia
are shown, and Fig. 13, Right with Nero and Octavia). This means that the Emperor
and his wife appeared as god-Helios, (Sun, Sol in Latin) and goddess Selene. (Moon,
Luna in Latin). And it is worthwhile to mention that in many of the coins presented
in this paper Emperor’s head is shown radiated, as the head of the god-Helios, (e.g.,
Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis 2011, 2012, 2014b), or at least crown.
On the other hand, as we showed the Zodiac sign of Capricorn is represented on
some coins issued by various Roman emperors. The same was done by some caesars,
too, like Lucius for instance. These coins, as others similar, were not presented here
because is impossible to show all of them. As regards Capricorn, some suggest
that this happened because Capricorn was Augustus’s Zodiac sign, but this is not
correct as he born in September. Thus, it seems more probable the astrologists to
have advised Augustus that Capricorn is the Zodiac sign of the Roman Empire, since
Augustus reign started in 16 January of 27 BC, which corresponds to it.
Except of the coins with a Capricorn, there are some others from Syria and in
particular from Antioch ad Orontem as referred in their Greek legends with another
Zodiac sign: the Ram. As, on the observe side of these coins Zeus is represented,
we did not show them here, although it is believed that they were issued during
Augustus’ era. It is only mentioned that some of these coins have been related to the
star of Bethlehem, (Molnar, 1999).
It is also mentioned that some emperors issued similar coins with their predecessors. For example, there are some aureus with Augustus head on observe and
Capricorn on reverse from Spain, Gaul, etc., issued during the civil war, 68-69, which
are copies of a type of Augustus’ coins that were still circulated.
Similarly, there are coins from the various Roman provinces, where on reverse
the old themes had been kept. Such are for example some of the coins from Caesarea,
Kapadokia, with mount Argaeus, (Fig. 7Left), these with the heads of Dioscuroi,
(Fig. 12d), or those with an eagle, (Figs. 14c&d).
In another paper we shall represent similar coins covering the interval from 96
to 192 AD, which correspond to the Nervan-Antonian dynasty of the Roman Empire,
(Rovithis-Livaniou and Rovithis 2015b).
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7. APPENDIX
[1] Augustus, (63 BD- 14 AD): The first Roman Emperor (27 BD 14 AD),
whose full name was Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, but he is known as
Augustus. A lot of traditional stories completed and/or confirmed his noble or even
divine origin. His mother, for example, maintained that he was son of the god Apollo
(Dion, Roman History, XLV 1, 2). He was adopted by his uncle, from his mother
side, Julius Caesar. He managed to extend the empire adding to it German, Spain
and African parts of land. Although there were almost continuous wars during his
reign, there was also relative peace, known as Pax Romana. He died at the age of
77 and was succeeded by his adopted son Tiberius, by whom was deified, (Ovid,
Metamorphoses, Book XV, ln. 745-850).
Originally, augustus was a title given to sacred or divine things and places, but
the Senate in 27 BC gave this title to the first Roman Emperor to characterise him
as holy person, whom the gods themselves had chosen as equal to them. And as is
known since then the first Roman Emperor remained in history as Augustus. Later,
Marcus Aurelius gave this title, which till then was given only to Emperors, to his
brother Lucius Verus, whom he made co-Emperor. This was later repeated to some
other cases, too.
[2] DIVUS, DIVA: Divine. It was supposed that Julius Caesar became similar
to god after his death. This very probably comes from the old Greek custom of
deification of great heroes, like Hercules for example, who were afterwards adored
as gods. (DIVA was used for females).
[3] Livia Drusilla: (58 BC-29 AD), second wife of the first Roman Emperor
Augustus. Livia was mother of Emperor Tiberius, paternal grand-mother of Emperor
Claudius, and paternal great grand-mother of Emperor Caligula. She was deified by
Claudius, who acknowledged her title of Augusta, (after her formal adoption by the
Julian family in 14 AD). She is the first woman to appear on provincial coins in 16
BC.
[4] god-Helios: Ancient god, who is supposed to be the personification of our
sun. In numismatic, he was represented by a young man with rays around his face,
or at least with crown head; reason for which we included coins with him. In Greek
mythology, he is considered earlier than the 12 principal gods/goddesses. It is supposed that he has been replaced by Apollo, although it seems that there were some
others earlier gods of light, too. God’s Helios father is supposed to be the Titan of
light Hyperion, Υπρίων, while as regards his mother others consider the Titaness of
sight Theia, Θία, (Hesiod, Theogony, ln. 371-374), and others Eurufaessa, (Homeric Hymns, To Helios).
[5] goddess Selene: Ancient Greek goddess of the Moon. It is supposed to be
daughter of the Titan of light Hyperion, Υπρίων, and the Titaness of sight Theia,
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Θία, (Hesiod, Theogony, ln. 371-374). Her brother was god-Helios (Sol in Latin)
and her sister Eos, i.e. down. Various goddesses have been identified with Selene as
are Ekate, Hera, or Artemis for example, all of whom were considered as protectors
of maternity and of fertility in general. The name Selene comes from the Greek word
σ´
λας=φως=light, because she is shining. In Greek she was also called M ήνις, from
the word µην or µήνας=month, connected to the time needed for a complete revolution around the Earth. The arm of Selene was driven by flying horses, or even bulls,
the horns of which are related to her astrological symbol, i.e. µηνίσκoς=crescent.
She was referred as Luna in Latin.
[6] Augusta: An ancient city founded in 20 AD and named after Livia Augusta
(see n. 3 above). It was 16 Km north of Adana at Asia Minor, and today is the city
Campestris of Turkey.
[7] Cilicia: S-E part of Asia Minor, opposite to Cyprus.
[8] Dichalko, δίχαλκo in Greek: Copper coin of the ancient Athens equal to
1/4 of an obol.
[9] Tiberius, (Claudius, Nero, Julio Caesar): Second Roman Emperor, (14-37)
AD, successor of Octavian (Augustus). His father had the same name as he, and
he was higher priest, magister and ex director of the navy under Julius Caesar. His
mother was the beautiful Livia Drusila, who married very young and he was born
when she was only 13 years old. Some historians characterised him as the most
capable Roman Emperor.
[10] Caligula: The third Roman emperor, (37-41) AD, whose real name was
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. He is known with his nickname Caligula,
given to him by his father’s soldiers, which means the boot of the little soldier. Because, he followed his father Germanicus in the battle fields of Northern Germany he
was dressed in uniform and boots.
[11] Claudius: The third Roman Emperor, (41-54) AD, who was also historian. His whole name was Tiberius Drusus Nero Germanicus. Born in 10 BC,
he was son of Nero Claudius Drusus, a succeeded and loved by the people person. He was nephew of Emperor Tiberius and grandson of Augustus’s wife, Livia
Drusilla. Claudius married to his second cousin Messal(l)ina in 38 AD, and he became Emperor after Caligula was killed in early 41 DC. He managed to extend Roman sovereignty in North Africa and made Bretagne Roman province.
[12] Nero: Roman emperor, (54-68) AD, whose original name was Lucius
Domitius Ahenobarbus. He was driven forward to the throne of the Rome at the
age of 17, because of his mothers marriage, Agrippina, with her uncle Claudius. He
remained in history as the personification of cruelty. On the other hand, because the
famous Seneca was his teacher, and he also served as his advisor for a short time, he
appears as protector of learning and arts.
[13] Caesarea of Kappadocia: Ancient city of Kappadocia, i.e. the central
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west part of Asia Minor, in the foot of mount Argaeus. The original city’s name
was Mazaka, which means city of the Moon, and it used to be the capital of Kappadocia. Later, the city was named Eusebeia in honour of the king Aριάθoυς τ oυ
Eυσβoύς=Ariathous the Devout. Finally, the name Caesarea was given to the city
by Emperor Tiberius, in honour of his adopted father Caesar (Augustus), and was
the capital of Cilicia Secunda. The place of the city was very good and important,
because it was in the meeting point of the roads: Sinope-Efrates, Sardis-Sousa and
Ephesus-Antioch. After a catastrophic earthquake the city was destroyed and rebuilt
by Emperor Justin I, and was named Justinopolis. Even so, the name Caesarea prevailed. Caesarea was the birth place of Basil the Great, and when during the 4 century
AD he built a new city, Basileiada, northern to Caesarea, the old city was abandoned.
[14] Mallus: Ancient city of Cilicia in Asia Minor close to the river Pyrathes,
(today the Kara Tas of Turkey). There are various traditions as regards who founded
it. So, according to some it was Mallos, from whom the city’s name. According
to others it was Amfilohos and Mapsos, while some others considered it as Greek
colony founded by people of the city of Argos, in Peloponnesus. During the Hellenistic epoch the city reached at its higher flourishing. It became Roman province
during Eliogabalus era, (218-222) AD.
[15] Tomis: Ancient Greek colony in Thrace (today in Romania). According
to some, the city was probably founded by the Millecians at the beginning of the 6th
century BC on a peninsula situated nearby the present Romanian town Constantza
at the Black see coast. On the other hand, according to Apollodorus, the city was
founded by the king of Aea, Aeetes. Besides, it is believed that the name Tomis
comes from the Greek word τ oµή =cutting, because at this place Aeetes buried the
pieces of the body of his son, when his daughter M ήδια, Medea, going away with
I άσων, Jason, and the golden fleece cut it in pieces and thrown it into the sea.
[16] Mount Argaeus: Mount in the central part of Asia Minor. In its foot
the city of Caesarea was built. Argaeus was the mount-god, or better the mounts
personalization. This mount is shown in many coins of Caesarea, presented either
with the god-Helios or with a star on its top. According to Strabon, (C 538) it was
the highest mount of Kappadocia, and it was said that from its top one could see both
the Black and the Aegean Sea.
[17] Dioscouroi: Their name means Zeus’s sons, coming from the Greek words
∆ιóς =(of Zeus)= of Jupiter and κoύρoς=son. According to the Greek Mythology
Dioscouroi were sons of Zeus and the queen’s of Sparta, Leda. They were, thus,
brothers of the beautiful Helen. Dioscouroi had taken part in many exploits and travelled to various parts of the main Greece and to Greek colonies both in Magna Graecia as well as in Asia Minor. They were considered as protectors of the sailors, and
were presented wearing always their caps with stars above. (More info by RovithisLivaniou and Rovithis 2014a).
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[18] Panormon: Ancient city in Sicily, the Palermo today. It was founded in
the 8th century BC by Phoenician merchants, who named it Ziz. It was also used by
Greek merchants and sailors, from whom it took its name because of its wonderful
natural harbour, although it was not a Greek city-country.
[19] Trisceles: The word comes from the Greek words τ ρις = three and σκ´
λoς
= leg, meaning everything consisting of 3 legs. Originally it was used as a solar symbol used in god’s Apollo worship. Today the word is used for everything consisting
of 3 equal parts.
[20] Philadelphia (in Lydia): Ancient Greek city established in 189 BC by
the king Eumenes II of Pergamon (197-160 BC). The city was named so, because
of Eumenes’ love for his brother Attalus II (159-138 BC). For this reason he was
also named Philadelphos, because philadelphos in Greek means one who loves his
brother, coming from the words φιλώ=αγαπ ώ=love and αδλφóς=brother. Philadelphia was in the administrative district of Sardis, and it became Roman province in
133 BC, after Attalus’s III, the last of the Attalid kings, death. Emperor Tiberius
released the city from taxes, when it was suffered because of an earthquake in 17
AD, while Caligula helped also the city. There are some coins in which the gratitude
of the people of the city is expressed to these emperors.
[21] Pergamon: Ancient Greek city at Aeolis in Asia Minor, at a distance of
about 26 Km from the Aegean Sea. The city became capital of the kingdom of Pergamon under the Attalid dynasty (281-133) BC. It was for a short time capital of the
Roman province of Asia, before the capital was transferred to Ephesus. At Pergamon
there was one of the greatest Libraries of the ancient world, but the Roman general
Antonius offered its books to the queen of Egypt Cleopatra. Besides, at Pergamon
there were many important buildings and Temples, many of which were moved to
Rome. Similarly, the great Altar of Pergamon, as is known, has been moved to the
Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. At Pergamon was born the great ancient
Greek surgeon, physician and philosopher Galenus, in 130 AD, known as Galen of
Pergamon.
[22] Senate: Personification of the Senate of Roma.
[23] Roma: A goddess personified the city of Roma. It was thus supposed that
she cared about Rome and broadly about the Roman Empire.
[24] Leukas: Ancient city in Syria, which has the same name as one of the
Ionian islands of Greece.
[25] APΓEIA (HPA): The Greek goddess Hρα, Hera, Juno in Roman, was
called so because she was the protector of the ancient Greek city of Argos, at Peloponnesus, where she was mainly worshipped.
[26] Aktios Apollo, Aκτ ιoς Aπóλλων: So was called Apollo worshiped at
Action, where Octavian Augustus built a magnificent Temple for the god in reminding his victim against Mark Antony. Besides, Augustus consecrated some games
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similar to Nemean, Phythian, and Isthmian, which were hold there every 5 years
starting from 28 BC.
[27] Galba, 3 BC to 69 AD: He became Praetorian in 20 and Consul in 33 AD.
He was Roman emperor for 7 months during 68-69 AD being the first of the year of
the 4 emperors.
[28] Otho, (32-69) AD: Marcus Salvius Otho was Roman Emperor for only 4
months, (15/1 to 16/4), during 69 AD being the second of the year of the 4 emperors.
[29] Vittelius, (15-69) AD: Aulus Vittelius Germanicus Augustus was son of
Lucius Vittelius Veteris and Sextilia, and Roman Emperor for 8 months, (16/4 to
22/12), during 69 AD being the third of the year of the 4 emperors.
[30] Vespasian: Roman emperor, (69-79) AD, whose whole name was Titus
Flavius Vespasianus was the fourth and last of the year of the 4 emperors. He was the
fountain of the Flavian Dynasty, since none other member of his family has got any
higher position in Rome. He was thus the first emperor who was from a new family,
as it was said. His basic contribution is considered the stability restoration in a period
of civil wars and confusions, which started after Nero’s death in 68 AD. Besides, he
strengthened the emperor’s competences towards those of the Senate.
[31] Antioch ad Orontem: Ancient city of Syria founded by Seleukos A, known
as Nikator, (305-281) BC, one of Alexander the Great generals and one of his descendants. The city was close to the river Orontes, from which the second part of its
name comes, and was used as harbour of Seleukeia, which was at a distance of about
22 Km. The place where Antioch founded was of great importance. Thus, in the
original city three others were added soon. For this reason, Strabo calls it Tetrapolis.
Antioch was under the Romans when Pompeii the Great occupied Syria in 64 BC.
On most of its coins the Tyche, (Fortune, Fortuna in Latin) of Antioch is shown.
Possible because the city was destroyed by earthquakes and re-built. Although, there
are astronomical symbols in these coins, they were not presented here, since they are
mainly Greek issued by Alexander’s the Great descendants, the Seleucids, and will
be presented elsewhere.
[32] Titus: Roman emperor, (79-81) AD, the greatest son of emperor Vespasian. He was smart, educational and people loved him, while he was rather cruel
when he was young. During his regime the Coliseum was completed, although the
beginning of his reign is related to big disasters: the Vesuvius explosion, the pestilence, and the fire that destroyed Rome.
[33] Domitian: Roman emperor, (81-96) AD, son of emperor Vespasian, Titus’
brother and the last of the Flavian dynasty. As Emperor he behaved rather well,
although he was malicious and ambitious. During his regime the Senate lost what had
remained from its validity, which his father had weakened. He constructed a temple
for goddess Athena, (Minerva in Latin), whom particularly respected. Besides, he
sent people to Alexandria, Egypt, and to other Greek cities, to enrich the Libraries
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of Rome with copies of various books. He thought that all people around conspired
against him, and he was finally murdered in 96 AD.
[34] Aeternitas: The divine personification of eternity. It appears on the coins
issued by various Roman Emperors like Vespasian, Titus, Trajan, Hardrian, and others. She appears as a young lady usually holding the Sun and the Moon.
[35] Domitia: Daughter of the general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo and wife of
Emperor Dominian. She bore a daughter and a son, who died in his infancy, and
Dominian deified him. Besides, he issued coins with either his or his wife’s head on
observe, and the boy on reverse. Soon after this event, Dominian exiled Dominia for
unknown reasons.
[36] Flaviopolis: Ancient Greek city in Adana of Asia Minor, which was previously named Cratia. The city was renamed Flaviopolis by Constantine the Great.
[37] Irenopolis or Eirenopolis: Ancient Greek city in the N-W Cilicia. Its
name means the city of peace coming from the Greek words: ιρήνη=peace and
πóλις=city. (Two other cities, one in Isauria and another in Balkans have the same
name).
[38] Hygeia, Y γία: Ancient Greek deity, personalization of the health of
both the body and the soul. According to the Greek mythology she was daughter of
Aσκληπιóς, Asclepeos.
[39] Phiale, φιάλη: The utensil used by the Greeks to offer libation to the gods.
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http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.asiaminorcoin.com/gallery/index.php
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http://www.pontos.dk
http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/i.html
Received on 25 January 2015